Bruce Lee Memorials

Martial Media, Culture and Other Arts Martial Media and Popular Culture
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Finally - the lawsuit

[QUOTE=GeneChing;966169]Time to grab one of those Real Kung Fu t-shirts with Bruce on it. Because if I was Shannon, I’d be working at shutting their copyright infringing asses down pronto.[/QUOTE] a decade later…

Bruce Lee Heir Hits China Fast Food Chain With $30 Million Suit
Bloomberg News
December 26, 2019, 4:14 AM PST Updated on December 26, 2019, 4:21 AM PST
Real Kungfu chain has been using Lee’s likeness for 15 years
Shanghai court case may test Chinese pledge to protect IPR


A Real Kung Fu outlet in Beijing. Photographer: Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images

Bruce Lee’s daughter struck back in a Chinese court at a popular fast-food chain for misappropriating the kung fu superstar’s image.

Bruce Lee Enterprises, whose legal representative is Shannon Lee, is seeking 210 million yuan ($30 million) in damages and 88,000 yuan in legal expenses from the Real Kungfu chain, Jiemian reported Thursday, in a case that could also test the Chinese government’s pledge to protect intellectual property rights.

A court in Shanghai accepted the suit in early December against Guangzhou Real Kungfu Catering Management Co. and two other related companies for portrait right infringement, state-run Xinhua reported. Shannon Lee is also asking the chain, called “Zhen Gongfu” in China and known for steaming its food, to immediately stop using her father’s image and to clarify for 90 days that it has nothing to do with the martial arts legend, according to Jiemian.

Real Kungfu said in a statement posted on its official Weibo account that it’s “baffled” by the lawsuit since it has been using the logo since 2004 and is preparing to respond. The image is that of a dark-haired man wearing a yellow jumpsuit in a kung fu pose who looks like Bruce Lee.

— With assistance by Dong Lyu

THREADS
Kung Fu Restaurants & Bars
Bruce Lee Memorials

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Time for an indie thread on Bruce Lee watches

I copied the posts above from Bruce Lee Memorials for this new Bruce Lee watches (as in wristwatches) thread.

Casio Releases its G-SHOCK MR-G × Bruce Lee Collaboration Model

March 11, 2020.By Suan Futt Yeo

Its been almost 50 years since Bruce Lee passed away; yet his star has not diminished. To this day, he remains the gold standard against which martial artists and martial arts movie stars are measured, the ultimate warrior-thinker who had the knack for smashing preconceptions wherever he went and did. As far as Bruce Lee was concerned, he was just perfecting himself in a life journey of self-discovery; but this most private undertaking executed with laser-focus would leave such tall waves in the public sphere that Bruce Lee is forever posited in the pantheon of cultural icons. For a gist of who he was, we have collated some of Lees quotes at the bottom of the page.

To wear a token of the Bruce Lee spirit though, Casio is marking the 80th year since Bruce Lees birth a special edition model from its overachiever MR-G line. Two images of Bruce Lee immediately come to mind when thinking about the man: bare-bodied with claw streaks across chest and cheeks in Enter the Dragon, and the other in the infamous yellow jumpsuit that he wore in the last film that he never finished, The Game of Death.


Bruce Lee in The Game of Death

Casios Bruce Lee tribute is plainly inspired by the latter, from the black titanium case with yellow strap and hour markers, as well as a re-creation of Bruce Lees signature based on the traditional Chinese character for dragon (), his nickname. On the bezel, and on the back, the MRG-G2000BL is inscribed with Using no way as a way, having no limitation as limitation in Chinese characters. This is the motto of Jeet Kune Do (its logo is also engraved on the caseback), a free-form rendition of Chinese Kungfu that Bruce Lee developed, which is arguably the precursor for todays mixed martial arts that eschew form and pattern for sheer combat capability.

Casio seems to have taken JKDs motto to heart: the MRG-G2000BL practically bristles with capability: GPS, radio and Bluetooth receptors keep the watch talking to satellites, radio time signal stations and your smartphone to keep the watch on time anywhere in the world, while its solar cell on full charge will keep the watch powered for 23 months in total darkness. Add to the that the lightweight and comfortable titanium case, and its a G-SHOCK one can wear through hell. In a limited edition of 300 pieces.



Bruce Lee Quotes:
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.


Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.

Dont fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.

Those who are unaware they are walking in darkness will never seek the light.

Technical Specifications

Movement
Solar-powered quartz; 23 month power reserve; radio/GPS reception; Bluetooth; 39 time zones with on/off daylight saving; chronograph; alarm

Case
Titanium case 54.7 × 49.8 × 16.9 mm; 200m water resistance

Strap
Yellow rubber Strap

Limited edition of 300 pieces.

Jackie already has a Jackie Chan watches (as in wristwatches) thread.

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Bruce Lee Forever! Shannon Lee Reflects on Her Father’s Legacy

My latest interview for Den of Geek: Bruce Lee Forever! Shannon Lee Reflects on Her Fathers Legacy

Threads
Warrior
Bruce-Lee-Memorials
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee

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Bruce Lee Riding Bicycle

Don’t know about memorials but just came across this short clip of Bruce Lee riding a bike and being interviewed, seeming happier and more relaxed than his later years! Enjoy!

//youtu.be/YyZ5ejNhpaM

ps, Gene, sorry to hear the magazine is closing!

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Shunde

Foshan, Bruce Lees ancestral home, dusts off kung fu heritage as it seeks to kick start tourism, services sectors
The city is building a kung fu town near Bruce Lees ancestral home in Shunde district, as well as a research institute and an experience and outreach centre
An important aspect of Foshans revitalisation plan will be the development of kung fu massage

Iris Ouyang
Published: 10:00am, 28 Mar, 2021

Nearly 50 years after his death, Bruce Lees martial arts and philosophy still influences lives
The city of Foshan in Chinas southern Guangdong province is looking to revitalise kung fu as part of plans to develop its tourism and services sectors.
The city, which has been home to wing chun grandmaster Ip Man and the family of superstar Bruce Lee, also Ip Mans most famous disciple, is building a 4.98 sq km kung fu town near Lees ancestral home in Shunde district, as well as a research institute and an experience and outreach centre.
An important aspect of this revitalisation will be the development of kung fu massage. This type of massage originated from the medical skills of kung fu masters, who were often injured and had a lot of experience in healing and curing themselves and others.

Liang Xuyong during a kung fu massage lesson. Photo: Handout
In the old days, you needed to learn kung fu for protection. But now people care more about their health, said Liang Xuyong, a fifth-generation disciple of the choy li fut style, as he explained the motivation behind the development of kung fu massage.
The kung fu revitalisation plan comes amid a push by Foshan, the third-largest economy in Guangdong, to upgrade and improve its industries. It is also expected to help kung fu proponents, who have struggled to adapt to a changing economic landscape, find a niche and make the martial arts more attractive to younger generations.
Liang is busy expanding his kung fu massage business. His company aims to open 60 centres in three years, especially since the coronavirus pandemic has increased awareness about health and wellness. He teaches massage techniques and choy li fut, and his current batch of students comes from as far away as Mexico.

We can help our students start their own businesses, he said, adding that they were operating four out of his six centres currently.

Foshan has more than 500 martial arts clubs that teach more than 50 variants. It was named the City of Kung Fu by the Chinese Wushu Association in 2004. The city invested 150 million yuan (US$22.9 million) on Bruce Lee Paradise, a 3,000 acre park that is also home to a 18.8 metre tall statue of the martial arts superstar. The park began operations in 2005.
Kung fu masters gathered in the city because of its well-established transport networks and robust economy. It was among the four most important commercial centres in China in the Ming and Qing dynasties together with Beijing, Suzhou and Wuhan in the northern, eastern and central regions, respectively, of the country.

Dong Chonghua says Foshans revitalisation of kung fu means there are more opportunities for people interested in the martial arts. Photo: Handout
Dong Chonghua, a disciple of Ip Chun, the elder son of wing chun grandmaster Ip Man, said he felt the glory days of kung fu were making a comeback. A fan of Bruce Lee, he learned wing chun in Foshan after migrating from Fujiang province. Thanks to the new possibilities presented by the citys revitalisation plan, he will now have more time to practice and teach kung fu, instead of working in a factory by day and practising and teaching by night.
The government is devoting more resources to developing kung fu and there are more opportunities for people interested in the martial arts, he said. I hope to carry on the legacy of traditional kung fu, Dong added.

Iris Ouyang

Iris Ouyang is a business reporter for the Post. She has reported in Washington D.C., Beijing, and Hong Kong in the past several years for both Chinese and international media organisations such as Caixin, Phoenix Finance, MNI, USA Today, MarketWatch and American Banker.

threads
Bruce Lee Memorials
mainland-wing-chun-linage
Erotic-KungFu-Massage <-Slightly OT for here but I couldn’t resist ttt-ing this gem.

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The “We Are Bruce Lee” exhibition at the Chinese Historical Society of America

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
PROMOTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND LEGACY OF THE CHINESE IN AMERICA
965 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
info@chsa.org

The “We Are Bruce Lee” exhibition will be at the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) museum. CHSA is the oldest organization in the country dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of the social, cultural and political history and contributions of the Chinese in America.

When founded in 1963, there were fewer than 250,000 people of Chinese descent living in the US and CHSA was a lone voice for the study and dissemination of the history of this segment of the US population. Today, as the number of Chinese in the US has risen to nearly 5 million, CHSA strives to be a responsible steward of the remarkable narrative of this rapidly growing and increasingly visible community.

CHSA promotes the contributions and legacy of the Chinese in America through its exhibitions, publications, and educational and public programs in the Museum and Learning Center. CHSA is housed in the landmark Julia Morgan-designed Chinatown YWCA building.

CHSA offers tours of the Museum and the surrounding Chinatown community for a nominal charge. CHSA has extended its reach with online content and online exhibits through its main portal chsa.org, sharing information and news through Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, and sharing photographs through Instagram. CHSA collaborates with others who want to share their stories and experiences through film screenings, book readings, presentations, workshops, panel discussions and so much more.

The date of this exhibit keeps getting pushed back. The site still says:

OPENING IN WINTER 2021
At the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco.

But I hear they are making progress. Hope to be there.

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Bruce Lee Way in Oakland

Bruce Lee Way: Oakland intersection will be renamed to honor martial arts legend
City Council will vote Tuesday to rename the intersection of Broadway and Garnet, where Lee opened a martial arts studio in 1964.
by Roselyn Romero
June 3, 2024, 12:00 p.m.


Bruce Lee opened a martial arts school in 1964 at the intersection of Broadway and Garnet Street. Credit: Amaya Edwards
In the summer of 1964, hybrid martial arts legend and Oakland resident Bruce Lee, just 24 years old, founded a martial arts school at the intersection of Broadway and Garnet Street.

Sixty years later, the Oakland City Council will approve a resolution to rename that intersection “Bruce Lee Way” and install a plaque there to honor Lee’s legacy and contributions to the Oakland community.

The city of Oakland’s Public Works and Transportation Committee first heard the resolution, introduced by Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, on Tuesday. The Special Rules and Legislation Committee voted on Thursday to move the resolution forward to tomorrow’s City Council meeting. Councilmembers are expected to greenlight it.


Lee was 24 years old when he and his training partner founded the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Oakland. Credit: Amaya Edwards
Born in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, Lee “lived, worked, and created amazing cultural opportunities in the city of Oakland,” Kaplan said during last Tuesday’s meeting. “By honoring and uplifting Bruce Lee, we also acknowledge and honor his contribution to uplifting the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community, both in Oakland and beyond,” Kaplan added.

Lee and his training partner, James Yimm Lee (no relation), cofounded a martial arts school—called the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute—at 4157 Broadway. Today, the site, located two blocks away from Oakland Technical High School, is home to a Toyota dealership.

Before opening the studio, Lee had dropped out of the University of Washington in Seattle, where he opened his first martial arts academy. Though the Oakland Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute was Lee’s second martial arts studio, it was considered the birthplace and launching pad for Jeet Kune Do, his distinctive martial art.

Lee’s Oakland studio wasn’t particularly popular, but it attracted many non-Chinese community members, fostering intercultural unity, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “This studio provided opportunities to build tolerance, health, discipline, and community,” said Kaplan, adding that Bruce “welcomed people of many backgrounds and focuses, including Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.”

After the studio’s opening, James introduced Lee to Ed Parker, a martial artist and celebrity trainer who invited Lee to a martial arts demonstration in Long Beach. There, Lee showed off his “one-inch punch” and two-finger push-ups, giving rise to his legend. He moved to Los Angeles in 1966 and starred in television shows like “The Green Hornet” and “Longstreet” and in movies such as “Enter the Dragon,” “Game of Death,” and “The Way of the Dragon.”

Lee died in 1973 at the age of 32. His cause of death is still debated today; an autopsy shortly after his death determined he died from “cerebral edema,” or brain swelling, while a 2022 research paper argued he died from his “kidney’s inability to excrete excess water.” He is buried in Seattle.


The former site of Lee’s martial arts studio is now a Toyota dealership. Credit: Amaya Edwards
“The martial arts community is still fervent and enthusiastic about Bruce Lee,” said Michael Colbruno, an Oakland Port commissioner who spoke at Tuesday’s Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting. “It’s also going to be a way to attract martial arts to the city of Oakland.”

The idea to rename the intersection came to then-Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in 2010, according to Colbruno. Dellums was a martial arts enthusiast himself who had trained under Lee. “He was very proud of his six-pack,” Colbruno said.

At the time, Dellums had unsuccessfully tried to lure a martial arts tournament to Oakland. He hoped the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute could be recognized as one of the city’s cultural heritage sites.

The city has a history of renaming other streets after Oakland icons, including Chauncey Bailey Way on 14th Street, Dr. Huey P. Newton Way on Ninth Street, Peter Van Kleef Way on Telegraph Avenue, and Too $hort Way on Foothill Boulevard.

“I don’t know if there’s anybody more famous in entertainment than Bruce Lee,” Colbruno said. “Everybody knows who he is.”

I was interviewed by Sara Hossaini for NPR about this yesterday. I’m told that the news bit ran today but I didn’t hear it.

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Approved

BAD ASS ASIANS
An Oakland Intersection will be renamed Bruce Lee Way

Max Photo Bruce Lee Mural in New York by Vincent Ballantine

BY VALENTINA LEWIS
JUNE 6, 2024

Sixty years after Bruce Lee opened his martial arts school at the intersection of Broadway and Garnet Street in Oakland, CA; the City Council approved renaming that intersection Bruce Lee Way in honor of his legacy and contributions to the community.

The resolution to rename an Oakland intersection Bruce Lee Way was initially presented by Council Member Rebecca Kaplan to the citys Public Works and Transportation Committee on Tuesday, reported Oaklandside.

By honoring and uplifting Bruce Lee, we also acknowledge and honor his contribution to uplifting the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community, both in Oakland and beyond, Kaplan said.

Lees influence extended beyond martial arts, making him a cultural icon against racial discrimination. He gained fame not only for his extraordinary martial arts skills but also for his fight against the racist portrayals of Asians in film and television during the 1960s and 70s with his iconic performances in The Green Hornet and Enter the Dragon, KTVU reported.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, his groundbreaking work challenged stereotypes and paved the way for more accurate and respectful representations of Asian characters in the media.

Although the Oakland Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute was Bruce Lees second martial arts studio, it is known as the place where he created and started teaching his unique martial art, Jeet Kune Do.

Even after his death in 1973, the martial arts community continued to hold a deep passion for Bruce Lee, as noted by Michael Colbruno, an Oakland Port commissioner, during Tuesdays Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting.

Renaming the intersection will also help attract martial arts enthusiasts to the city of Oakland, further enriching our cultural landscape and fostering a sense of unity within our community, he added.

Through this approval of Bruce Lee Way, Oakland honors a cultural icon and forges ahead in creating a more inclusive environment.

Bruce-Lee-Memorials

Worth its own indie thread. I hope there’s a renaming event that I can attend.
Bruce-Lee-Way-in-Oakland

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Oct. 29, 2025

U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2026 Stamps

Pop culture icons and symbols of America are featured

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced many of the stamps it will release in 2026.

“This early preview of our 2026 stamp program underscores the Postal Service’s commitment to celebrating the artistry and storytelling that make stamps so special,” said Lisa Bobb-Semple, the organization’s Stamp Services director. “Each stamp is a small work of art — an entryway into a larger story that connects people, places and moments in history. This year, we continue to honor that legacy with a diverse range of subjects and designs, from beloved series and commemorative anniversaries to bold new releases that will inspire and excite collectors and admirers alike.”

…

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee
As the first Asian leading man in American film, Chinese American martial artist, actor and filmmaker Bruce Lee (1940-1973) captivated audiences with his skill, charisma and screen presence and inspired generations of fans. The stamp artwork by Kam Mak features a painting of Lee executing his iconic flying kick. It is set against what Antonio Alcalá, the art director for USPS who designed the stamp, calls “a calligraphic yellow brushstroke,” a reference to the iconic yellow tracksuit Lee wore in “Game of Death.” On the right side of the stamp, BRUCE LEE and USA FOREVER are printed vertically and angled to appear as if Lee’s kick were breaking them in half.

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Bruce Lee Museums and Gallery Exhibits
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Foshan Embraces Bruce Lee’s Legacy to Boost Tourism Growth and Economic Development, Showcasing its Rich Cultural Heritage and Martial Arts History of China

Published on December 1, 2025

Tourism growth in foshan

Foshan, in Guangdong Province, China, is using the legacy of Bruce Lee to represent its rich cultural heritage and traditions of martial arts in a big way for increased tourism and economic development. The city recently hosted the 2025 International Bruce Lee Fans Convention for the 85th anniversary celebration of the birthday of the martial arts icon, an exciting platform for drawing in global tourists interested in martial arts tourism and cultural exchange.

Bruce Lee’s legacy inspires not only martial artists but also travelers from all over the world. The city of Foshan, where Bruce Lee’s ancestors came from, is firmly positioning itself as one of China’s main cultural tourism cities and a platform for martial arts tourism. This region has succeeded in mixing its cultural heritage with modern tourism infrastructure and, thus, has been presenting domestic and international tourists with a more interactive experience of Guangdong province as a tourism destination.

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Tourism Impact: Economic Growth and Job Creation for Foshan

The Bruce Lee Fans Convention in Foshan is more than just a celebration of a global cultural icon—it is a strategic initiative to boost tourism and local economic growth. As tourists flock to Foshan to explore the Bruce Lee Paradise and other martial arts landmarks, local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, are benefiting from the increase in foot traffic. The city’s investment in cultural tourism is helping to create new job opportunities and revenue streams for the local economy.

By attracting a global audience of Bruce Lee fans, martial arts enthusiasts, and general tourists, the event is expected to significantly contribute to Foshan’s tourism sector, increasing tourism revenue and fostering economic activity in the region. The integration of Bruce Lee’s legacy with Foshan’s cultural tourism offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about traditional martial arts while also experiencing the city’s cultural heritage.

Cultural Exchange: Promoting Martial Arts Tourism and Chinese Traditions

Bruce Lee’s impact on global martial arts and his promotion of Chinese culture have helped establish China as a leading destination for martial arts tourism. Foshan, as Bruce Lee’s ancestral home, is perfectly positioned to be at the forefront of this cultural tourism boom. The Bruce Lee Paradise in Shunde district, the venue for the festival, serves as an educational and cultural landmark where visitors can explore the legacy of Bruce Lee, watch martial arts performances, and even participate in kung fu workshops.

The festival not only draws tourists interested in martial arts but also appeals to those seeking cultural immersion in China’s rich history. It has provided a platform for cross-cultural exchange, allowing Chinese culture and the global martial arts community to connect through a shared appreciation for Bruce Lee’s teachings.

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Promoting Sustainable Tourism with Martial Arts and Culinary Fusion

This year, the 2025 Bruce Lee Fans Convention introduced a kung fu workshop that blends Shunde kung fu with local cuisine, offering visitors an immersive experience of Lingnan culture—the traditional culture of southern China. The integration of martial arts with local food highlights how cultural tourism can also support local businesses, such as restaurants and artisan food producers, while promoting sustainability in the tourism sector.

By combining cultural heritage, martial arts, and culinary tourism, Foshan is enhancing the visitor experience and providing opportunities for economic diversification. This fusion of tourism types is especially attractive to millennial and Gen Z travelers, who seek unique and immersive travel experiences that offer both cultural learning and authentic local experiences.

Future Potential: Foshan as a Global Martial Arts and Cultural Tourism Hub

Looking to the future, Foshan’s tourism potential continues to grow as the city invests in further promoting its martial arts heritage and cultural tourism offerings. By strengthening its reputation as a center for martial arts tourism, Foshan is attracting visitors from around the world who are eager to learn about the city’s role in the development of kung fu and Chinese martial arts.

The growing interest in Foshan as a cultural tourism destination offers long-term economic benefits, not only through tourism revenue but also by creating opportunities for local job creation and business growth. With ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, Foshan is well-positioned to become a leading destination for cultural tourism in China, contributing significantly to the nation’s broader tourism goals.

A New Era of Tourism and Economic Growth in Foshan, China

With the success of the 2025 Bruce Lee Fans Convention and the integration of Bruce Lee’s legacy into the tourism strategy of Foshan, it follows that the city is gaining momentum as one of the most cultural tourism hotspots in China. The further development of martial arts tourism products and cultural offerings will spur tourism growth, economic benefits, and global recognition for Foshan.

By tapping into Bruce Lee’s international popularity, Foshan can further enhance its tourist infrastructure to draw in more international visitors, supporting local economic development. In this way, Foshan has emerged as an important destination for cultural tourism, martial arts aficionados, and global travelers alike, while ensuring the long-term prosperity of its tourism industry.

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Review | Thrilling Bruce Lee dance show explores Hong Kong star’s life and career

‘Kung Fu Artistry: Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way’ by the Hong Kong Dance Company is a powerful mix of dance and martial arts

Reading Time:3 minutes

Ong Tze-shen gives a consummate portrayal of Bruce Lee in the Hong Kong Dance Company’s “Kung Fu Artistry”. Photo: Arliugraphy, courtesy of HKDC

Natasha Rogai

Published: 5:15pm, 3 Dec 2025

Kung Fu Artistry is a new work by the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) that marks the 85th anniversary of the birth of the great Bruce Lee, one of Hong Kong’s best-loved and most celebrated sons.

Subtitled Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way, this dance drama explores his philosophy as well as his life and martial arts prowess.

Visually stunning and filled with evocative images and music, the production features thrilling martial arts choreography and a tremendous performance by Ong Tsz-shen as Lee.

With the premiere taking place as the terrible fires still burned at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the mood was subdued and a minute of silence was held before the performance began.

As the city came together in grief and shock, this was a fitting moment to celebrate Lee, an iconic symbol of the Hong Kong spirit of resilience, determination and fortitude. In a touching introductory speech, his daughter Shannon recalled how much he loved Hong Kong and how important it was to him.

That love was reciprocated in Kung Fu Artistry. Yang Yuntao, its choreographer and HKDC’s artistic director, and dramaturge Simon Wang Haoran tell Lee’s story with palpable affection and reverence through a series of snapshots from key periods in his life.

Eight years of rigorous martial arts training sees the Hong Kong Dance Company’s dancers ideally placed to pay tribute to Lee’s life and work. Photo: Arliugraphy, courtesy of HKDC

Eight years of rigorous martial arts training sees the Hong Kong Dance Company’s dancers ideally placed to pay tribute to Lee’s life and work. Photo: Arliugraphy, courtesy of HKDC

Created in cooperation with the Bruce Lee Foundation, the production vividly evokes this legendary figure through extracts from his letters, as well as photos (including many family photos) and video.

The first scene gives a colourful portrait of Hong Kong life in the 1950s, with the young Lee trying out everything from Chinese opera (his father was an opera performer) to Western-style boxing and ballroom dance – he was, as his daughter reminded us, the chacha champion of Hong Kong. He goes on to discover kung fu and gets into street fights.

The story continues through Lee moving to the US, creating his renowned martial arts system, jeet kune do (“way of the intercepting fist”), and ultimately achieving international cinema stardom.

Yang’s accomplished choreography ranges from the lively, upbeat opening with its 1950s dance references to thrilling displays of martial arts and intense solos embodying tenets of Lee’s philosophy. In the midst of all the high-octane movement comes a poignantly tender moment where Lee’s wife Linda, finding him asleep in a chair, gently takes a book from his hand and switches off the light.

Ong Tze-shen (centre, in glasses) performs as the young Bruce Lee in a scene from the show. Photo: Ray Cheung

Ong Tze-shen (centre, in glasses) performs as the young Bruce Lee in a scene from the show. Photo: Ray Cheung

The strongest scenes are in the first half of the show. The second loses momentum: the depiction of Lee’s film career is oddly elliptic, briefly referencing his best-known films and costumes, while a mass routine of martial artists practising with nunchuks, a weapon much identified with Lee, is too repetitive, although well performed.

For the past eight years, HKDC’s dancers have undergone rigorous martial arts training, making the company ideally placed to pay tribute to Lee’s life and work. Their impressive skills have already been on display in previous productions incorporating martial arts elements and here they surpassed themselves.

This was a brilliant demonstration of kung fu from the entire ensemble, men and women alike, with a special word for Lee Chia-ming’s breathtaking solos.

The thread that binds the show together is Ong’s consummate portrayal of Lee, from feisty, cocky teenager to mature martial arts master and blasé film star. His dazzling speed, control and balance in the martial arts sections contrast with the effortless fluidity of movement in the “Like Water” solo, personifying Lee’s famous words: “Be shapeless, like water.”

The opening scene of “Kung Fu Artistry” gives a colourful portrait of Hong Kong life in the 1950s. Photo: Worldwide Dance Project

The opening scene of “Kung Fu Artistry” gives a colourful portrait of Hong Kong life in the 1950s. Photo: Worldwide Dance Project

Technically, the production is a tour de force. Man Lim-chung’s art direction gives a suitably cinematic feel, with Jan Wong’s elegantly minimalist sets enhanced by Henry Lam’s video design and spectacular lighting from Korea’s Ryou Back-hee.

Patrick Lui’s superb score combines jazz with Chinese music, with much of the music played live on stage by a band headed by Lui himself on piano, while Martin Lai’s skilful sound design lets us hear Lee’s voice through his own words.

“Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way”, Hong Kong Dance Company, continues at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre until December 7. Reviewed: November 27.

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# Global fans gather in Bruce Lee’s hometown to celebrate his 85th birth anniversary

2025-11-28 Source: South Editor: Alice Fung

November 27, 1940, marked the birth of Bruce Lee, the legendary kung fu icon. He was the first global promoter of Chinese kung fu, founder of Jeet Kune Do, and the first Chinese lead actor in Hollywood.

On November 27, 2025, the world celebrates the 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s birth. Jun’an Town, Shunde District, Foshan City— Lee’s ancestral hometown— rolled out a grand kung fu and cultural gala to welcome kung fu enthusiasts from across the globe.

Activities included laying flowers in tribute to the icon, enjoying spectacular kung fu performances, and learning martial arts. Bruce Lee’s admirers gathered here to follow in the footsteps of the kung fu legend, while immersing themselves in a rich experience that integrates kung fu, culture, technology, and tourism.

Reporter: Zhang Yanqing, Lan Zhiling

Photo: Liao Mingcan

Video Editing: Chen Xitong

Editor: Wei Shen, Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEB. 13, 2026

unnamed
unnamed477×303 45.2 KB

Media contact: Kristina Uppal

(415) 264-5694

Kristina.Uppal@usps.gov

usps.com/news

 
**Bruce Lee Forever Stamp to be Showcased in Special Community Unveiling**

                   **San Francisco Post Office helps honor iconic martial artist in free community event**

What:

The U.S. Postal Service in partnership with the APA Heritage Foundation will honor Bruce Lee the renowned Chinese American martial artist and actor, with a special community unveiling of the new Bruce Lee Forever stamp.

“It is an honor to celebrate Bruce Lee this Lunar New Year and showcase this dynamic Commemorative Forever Stamp. We are proud to recognize a figure as influential as Bruce Lee with our San Francisco community. Beyond postage this stamp boldly highlights the lasting significance of his impact,” said Jason Kirrane, A/Postmaster of San Francisco.

"The Bruce Lee Commemorative Stamp is very special for many reasons. We thank the United States Postal Service for issuing a forever stamp honoring an Asian American martial artist who has bridged cultural divides through his teaching and practices. Bruce Lee is revered as a global cultural icon and we delight in the opportunity to celebrate this stamp with a community unveiling in San Francisco, where Bruce Lee was born and spent part of his life.” Claudine Cheng, President, APA Heritage Foundation

The community stamp unveiling event is free and open to the public.

Bruce Lee Forever Stamps and other commemorative items will be available for purchase on site.

Who:

Jason Kirrane, USPS, A/Postmaster of San Francisco

USPS Representatives

Claudine Cheng, President, APA Heritage Foundation

Jenny Leung, Executive Director, Chinese Culture Center

Danny Sauter, District 3 Supervisor, San Francisco

San Francisco City Officials

When:

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 4 p.m.

Where:

RSVP:

Chinese Culture Center

750 Kearny Street 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94108

Attendees are encouraged to register athttps://apasf.org/brucelee/

Media Alert: Please RSVP toKristina.Uppal@usps.gov

Background:

Chinese American martial artist, actor, and filmmaker Bruce Lee (1940–1973) was the first Asian leading man in American film, captivating audiences with his skill, charisma, and screen presence and inspiring a generation of young fans. This stamp honors this legendary figure, whose legacy continues to shape global culture, leaving a lasting impact on everything from action cinema and popular music to the evolution of mixed martial arts.

In his first major American role, Lee appeared in the television version of The Green Hornet (1966–1967), playing Kato, the title hero’s martial arts-practicing partner. He was soon choreographing movie fight scenes and acting in other TV series, but never in a starring role. At the time, Asian characters often were painted as passive and subservient, and Asian actors were believed not to be bankable in leading roles. Lee sought to destroy those stereotypes.

Meanwhile, he had begun to develop his own philosophy of martial arts. With Jeet Kune Do — which roughly translates to “The Way of the Intercepting Fist” — he eschewed the rigidity of traditional martial arts for a more free-flowing and holistic approach.

While Hollywood was slow to embrace Lee, Golden Harvest Studios in Hong Kong — where Lee grew up — offered him a chance to star in the kind of fast-paced action films that properly showcased his talent. The Big Boss (1971) was a box office success in Hong Kong, elsewhere in Asia, and later in the United States. Then came Fist of Fury, Lee’s second straight smash hit.

Next Lee produced, directed, wrote, and starred in The Way of the Dragon (1972), which again broke Hong Kong box office records. He stopped work on a fourth film, The Game of Death, when American studio Warner Bros. agreed to make its first production starring Lee. The quintessential Lee film, Enter the Dragon is full of eye-popping set pieces. In the spectacular climactic scene, his character vanquishes crime lord Han in a mirror-walled room. The movie became a worldwide phenomenon.

Tragically, Lee did not live to see his opus dazzle audiences. On July 20, 1973, a month before the premiere of Enter the Dragon, he died at age 32 of cerebral edema.

When it came to designing a stamp honoring this star, USPS art director Antonio Alcalá decided he “needed an artist who could do an accurate rendering of Lee performing a flying kick based on reference materials.” His fellow art directors recommended Kam Mak. “It didn’t hurt that he’s been a big Bruce Lee fan for most of his life!” Alcalá adds.

When he approached Mak about the project, the award-winning painter/illustrator was intrigued, but also recognized the project’s complexity. “What surprised me was that there were no ideal photos of Bruce Lee performing the flying kick with enough detail of his face,” he says. However, USPS provided him with a variety of images of Lee and “even commissioned an expert to perform the flying kick,” Mak says, “resulting in some stunning photographs.” Mak, who emigrated from Hong Kong as a child, studied all of Lee’s films, an exercise he found “crucial to capturing the essence of his likeness.” He adds, “All these references gave me inspiration and helped guide my initial sketches and, subsequently, my final painting.”

The stamp artwork features Mak’s black-and-white painting of Lee executing his iconic move. Rendered in egg tempera on traditional gesso, the portrait is set against what Alcalá calls “a calligraphic, yellow brush stroke,” a reference to the iconic yellow tracksuit Lee wore in The Game of Death, which was completed and released years after his death. On the right side of the stamp, BRUCE LEE and USA FOREVER are printed vertically and angled to appear as if Lee’s kick were breaking them in half. This arrangement — with LEE and USA in bold — enhances the action, Alcalá says. “I think he would have appreciated the design.”

The Bruce Lee stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.

BRUCE LEE and the Bruce Lee Flying Man Logo are registered trademarks of Bruce Lee Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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# Bruce Lee Forever stamp to be unveiled in Seattle’s CID

Feb 17, 2026, 12:26 PM

bruce lee forever stamp CID Seattle...

The new Bruce Lee Forever stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service)

BY AARON GRANILLO

KIRO Newsradio Anchor

The U.S. Postal Service will unveil a new Bruce Lee Forever stamp Wednesday at a public ceremony in Seattle’s Chinatown–International District (CID).

The first‑day‑of‑issue event will take place at 2 p.m. at the historic Nippon Kan Theater, honoring the Chinese American martial artist, actor, and filmmaker who lived, trained, and taught in Seattle.

“He was mesmerizing to watch. Unlike the theatrical, acrobatic kung fu that came before, Lee’s movements were economical, explosive, and real,” said Ben Kuo, USPS senior vice president of facilities and infrastructure. “Bruce Lee has earned this special tribute because he wasn’t just an action film star who could fight — he was a philosopher who could think and a teacher who inspired millions.”

Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, is headlining the public ceremony on Wednesday.

“His legacy is one of resilience, self-mastery, and flow that resonates and connects people across multiple demographics,” she said. “Our family is deeply grateful to the USPS for choosing to recognize Bruce Lee, and we are excited to see his kicks flying all across the country on our mail.”

The stamp features a black‑and‑white illustration of Lee’s iconic flying kick, set against a yellow brushstroke as a nod to his tracksuit from “The Game of Death,” which was released several years after Lee’s death in 1973. Designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá and painted by artist Kam Mak, the layout positions the words “BRUCE LEE,” “USA,” and “FOREVER” to appear as if Lee is breaking them in half.

Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940 and raised in Hong Kong before returning to the U.S. as a teenager. He later studied at the University of Washington (UW), opened martial arts schools in Seattle and Oakland, and went on to star in films including “Enter the Dragon.”

The Bruce Lee Forever stamp will be sold in panes of 20 at Post Offices and online here. USPS will share updates using the hashtag #BruceLeeStamp.

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GAMH presents…

> # Bruce Lee Musical Tribute

Directed by SLY5thAVE

Friday, Apr 03, 2026

Great American Music Hall

San Francisco, CA

Doors: 6:00PM | Show: 7:00PM

Buy Tickets

There is a 8 ticket limit per customer.

TICKET TYPE

PRICE PER TICKET

QUANTITY

Event Details

On sale NOW!

$50 ‘EARLY BIRD’

$65 ADV | $75 DOOR

$80 BALCONY SEATING

Doors 6pm | Show 7pm

Bruce Lee Musical Tribute:

Event Location

Directions

Great American Music Hall

859 O’Farrell St., San Francisco, CA, 94109

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> ## YOUNG DRAGON: A BRUCE LEE STORY

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 22, 2026

By Keiko Green
Directed by Jess McLeod
A story based on Young Bruce Lee
New work commissioned by SCT

DETAILSADDITIONAL RESOURCESREVIEWSARTISTSMORE INFO

DETAILS

Before he was a legend, Bruce Lee was just a young man trying to figure it all out—right here in Seattle. This action-packed, soul-searching story follows the Young Dragon as he navigates a new country and finds his voice. Through movement, magic, and heart, we meet the human behind the icon—flawed, fierce, and full of possibility. Watch as Lee learns to clear his brain by mimicking the white noise of water and begins fusing martial arts with philosophy. From street fights in Hong Kong to teaching self-defense and chasing big dreams, Bruce’s journey reminds us that finding your way means first figuring out who you are. Come see how Seattle shaped him into a flexible, fluid, and flowing master—and how he reshaped the world.

For more information about this production, visit our Content Guidancepage.

All ticket buyers to Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story receive a 10% discount at the Wing Luke Museum. Present your electronic/physical ticket at admissions.

NEW PERFORMANCES ADDED! Select our new performances on March 21st and March 22nd for the best seats and prices.

Location
Eve Alvord Theatre

Age Recommendation
For Ages 8+

Running Time
Approx. 75 minutes, no intermission

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For a comprehensive list of organizations and resources created to support and enhance children’s reading experiences, check out our Reading Resources.

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES

These resources will help everyone prepare for the experience of visiting Seattle Children’s Theatre.

Sensory Guide for Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story – Coming Soon!
Access Guide

Watch our orientation and social story video to learn what to expect from your visit!

REVIEWS

Seattle Children’s Theatre Bruce Lee play fights on after Kennedy Center Canceling, Seattle Times, February 2025

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# May 17 could become ‘Bruce Lee Day’ in California

by: Iman Palm

Posted: Feb 25, 2026 / 10:27 AM PST

Updated: Feb 25, 2026 / 11:27 AM PST

A proposed California bill would honor Chinese Americans by establishing May 17 as “Bruce Lee Day.”

AB 2455, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D–San Francisco), would recognize the martial arts icon’s enduring influence on film, culture and the Chinese American community.

If approved, Lee would become the first Chinese American honored with a commemorative day in California law, according to Haney’s office.

The bill would also encourage all public schools and educational institutions to conduct exercises remembering the life of Bruce Lee and recognizing his accomplishments and the contributions he made to the state.”

May 17 marks the day Lee returned to San Francisco at age 18.

Shannon Lee, founder and CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation and Bruce Lee’s daughter, said in the statement that the family was honored by Assemblymember Haney’s bill.

“From young people who found confidence and possibility in his philosophy, to families who finally saw themselves represented on screen, to athletes who still draw on his teachings of discipline and inner strength, his reach is profound,” she said. My father was a bridge between cultures through his courage, and his spirit of interracial solidarity remains as relevant as ever.”

Lee, born in San Francisco and raised in Hong Kong, became one of the most influential martial artists and actors of the 20th century. He began acting as a child in the 1940s, started studying kung fu at 13 and returned to the United States in 1959, later studying philosophy at the University of Washington.

Throughout his career, Lee pushed back against Hollywood’s racist portrayals of Asian men, who were often depicted as servants, unskilled workers, or evil geniuses in Hollywood.

His films, including “The Big Boss,” “Fist of Fury” and “Enter the Dragon,” released six days after his death, helped redefine Asian representation on screen and sparked a global kung fu phenomenon.

Lee died in 1973 at age 32 from an allergic reaction to pain medication.